PS Canally paddle-steamer restoration refloated

The group restoring a historic paddle-steamer which sank at Morgan last year says the decade-long project is back on track.

It is believed faulty pumps caused the PS Canally to sink early in November and its hull was submerged for three weeks before being refloated.

Insurance payments have covered the cost of repairing most of the damage.

Restoration committee chairman Phil Reed says new pumps and other measures should prevent another sinking.

"We've got a lot more people doing checks on the boat for us and emergency numbers, so it was a little bit of a setback and it upset a few people but on the other hand I think it galvanised a few more," he said.

Mr Reed says the group is set to have the partly-completed paddle-steamer ready to show at a wooden boat meeting in Morgan in June.

"It's been supported by the Canally Restoration Committee and the Mid Murray Council, so we should get a few wooden boat-type people at Morgan," he said.

"The Canally will be on display and it may be something we can continue with in the years to come."